5 Tips for Water Safety with Your Kids This Summer
Summer is finally here, and with it comes pool parties, beach trips, and days out on the water. As both a pediatrician and a mom, I know just how important water safety is for our children. Drowning remains the single leading cause of death among children aged 1-4, and one of the top causes of death among teens. What makes this especially heartbreaking is that drowning is preventable.
Today, I want to share evidence-based water safety tips that can help protect your children this summer. These practical strategies are backed by the latest research and guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other safety organizations.
1. Provide Constant, Capable Adult Supervision
The most important water safety measure is attentive adult supervision. According to the AAP, most drownings in preschool-aged children occur during brief lapses in supervision. Drowning happens quickly and silently – not like the dramatic splashing we see in movies.
What this means in practice:
Designate a "Water Watcher" when children are in or near water – this adult should be free from distractions (no phones, books, or alcohol)
Implement closed-loop communication about who is watching which child – always verbally confirm when transferring supervision responsibility with phrases like "I have Emma now" with acknowledgment from the previous supervisor
Remember that supervision must be "close, constant, and capable" – stay within arm's reach of young children and non-swimmers
Avoid assumptions about who is watching – clear communication prevents dangerous gaps in supervision
Even strong swimmers need supervision. Remember: lifeguards are an important layer of protection, but they shouldn't replace your attentive eyes on your own children.
2. Use Proper Barriers and Prevention Devices
Physical barriers significantly reduce drowning risk. Research shows that four-sided isolation fencing that completely separates the pool from the house and yard reduces a child's risk of drowning by 83% compared to three-sided property-line fencing.
What this means in practice:
Install four-sided fencing at least 4 feet high around your pool with self-closing, self-latching gates
Ensure gates open outward away from the pool area
Keep furniture and other climbing aids away from fences
Consider additional layers like pool alarms, rigid pool covers, and door alarms from the house to the pool area
Empty buckets, wading pools, and bathtubs immediately after use
Remember that for young children who are naturally curious, barriers are essential during non-swim times when supervision might not be constant.
3. Ensure Proper Life Jacket Use
Life jackets save lives, but only when they fit properly and are worn consistently. The U.S. Coast Guard requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket while on moving boats, but life jackets should be considered in many water settings.
What this means in practice:
Always use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets (look for the stamp)
Select the right size based on your child's weight, not age
For infants and toddlers, choose jackets with:
A large collar to support the head
A strap between the legs to prevent the jacket from riding up
A grab handle on the collar for emergencies
Test life jackets for proper fit: when lifted at the shoulders, the jacket shouldn't touch your child's ears or chin
Avoid "puddle jumpers" or arm floaties as substitutes for proper life jackets during high-risk activities
Model good behavior by wearing your own life jacket
Remember: life jackets are not babysitters. Children wearing them still need supervision, but proper life jackets provide crucial minutes for rescue in an emergency.
4. Teach Water Competency Skills
While swimming lessons don't "drown-proof" children, they are an important layer of protection. The AAP now recommends swimming lessons as a drowning prevention strategy for children starting around age 1, based on individual readiness.
When should my child learn to swim?
Children develop at different rates, and not all are ready to begin swim lessons at exactly the same age. When making your decision, keep your child's emotional maturity, physical and developmental abilities and limitations, and comfort level in the water in mind.
The AAP recommends swim lessons as a layer of protection against drowning that can begin for many children starting at age 1.
Parent-child toddler & preschool swim classes (ages 1-3):
Studies suggest that water survival skills training and swim lessons can help reduce drowning risk for children between ages 1-4
Classes that include both parents and their children are a good way to introduce water safety habits and start building swim readiness skills
These classes focus on water adjustment, entry and exit skills, and basic swimming movements
If your child seems ready, it's a good idea to start lessons at this age
Swim lessons for children ages 4 and up: a must for most families
By their 4th birthday, most children are ready for swim lessons
At this age, they usually can learn basic water survival skills such as floating, treading water and getting to an exit point
By age 5 or 6, most children in swim lessons can master the front crawl
If your child hasn't already started in a learn-to-swim program, now is the time!
What about infant swim classes?
The AAP does not recommend formal swim programs for babies under 1 year old, as there is currently no evidence that infant swim programs lower their drowning risk
Infants this age may show reflex "swimming" movements but can't yet raise their heads out of the water well enough to breathe
It's OK to enroll in a parent-child water play class to help your infant get used to being in the pool as a fun bonding activity
What this means in practice:
Focus on these key water competency skills:
Entry with submersion
Recovery to the surface
Treading or floating
Turning in all directions
Swimming to safety
Exiting the water
Practice these skills in the environments where your children typically swim
Reinforce safety rules like always asking permission before entering water
Teach children to recognize and avoid dangerous water situations
Even children who can swim need barriers and supervision – swimming ability is just one layer of protection.
5. Learn CPR and Emergency Response
In the event of an emergency, knowing CPR can be the difference between life and death. Early initiation of CPR by bystanders has been shown to significantly improve outcomes after drowning incidents.
What this means in practice:
Take a CPR course that includes pediatric CPR techniques
Refresh your skills regularly (at least every two years)
Post CPR instructions near home pools
Keep a phone nearby when at the water
Know the address/location of where you're swimming for emergency responders
Create an emergency action plan and share it with family members and caregivers
Learn the signs of drowning (which often don't include yelling or waving)
Environment-Specific Water Safety Tips
Pool Safety
Never swim alone, even adults
Keep toys away from the pool when not in use to avoid tempting young children
Use pool alarms that detect water disturbance
Teach children to stay away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings
Have reaching and throwing equipment readily available
Consider a pool safety net when the pool is not in active use
Ocean Safety
Always swim near a lifeguard
Teach children how to identify and escape rip currents: swim parallel to shore
Check water conditions before entering and follow flag warning systems
Watch for changing tides and weather conditions
Encourage children to wear brightly colored swimwear for visibility
Establish boundary landmarks and keep children in sight at all times
Teach children that ocean swimming requires different skills than pool swimming
Boat Safety
Everyone aboard should wear properly fitted, USCG-approved life jackets
Children under 13 must wear life jackets at all times on moving boats (federal law)
Avoid alcohol consumption while operating watercraft
Use an engine cut-off switch lanyard or wireless device
Maintain a safe speed and keep a proper lookout
Have children sit in the middle of the boat, away from the edges
Check weather forecasts and create a float plan before heading out
And Just Remember…
Water safety requires multiple layers of protection working together. No single strategy—not even swimming lessons or fencing—is enough on its own. By implementing these evidence-based practices, we can help ensure our children enjoy the water safely this summer.
Remember: drowning is fast, silent, and preventable. These precautions may seem extensive, but they're worth it to protect our precious children.
Stay safe and have fun this summer!
Sending you a big hug,
Anjuli
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not replace the specific instructions provided by your child's surgeon or healthcare provider. Always follow the post-operative care instructions given by your medical team.
References:
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Prevention of Drowning. Pediatrics, 143(5), e20190850.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Drowning Prevention.
U.S. Coast Guard. (2025). Life Jacket Wear Requirements & Regulations.
National Drowning Prevention Alliance. (2023). 5 Layers of Protection.
World Health Organization. (2024). Drowning Prevention Guide.